Cambodians often cite an old Khmer proverb
lbaeng taeng vineah (), "Gambling always destroys (life)", Despite the official prohibition on citizens partaking in any form of unauthorized gaming, gambling is a significant part of Cambodian culture. Gambling, usually in the form of card or dice games, is traditionally only socially acceptable during the weeks surrounding
New Year celebrations. However, gambling continues year-round at every opportunity, in underground card houses, lotteries (both legal and illegal), sports book, online gaming, through unlawful entry into the casinos or even impromptu games on work breaks; there is even a game called
chak teuk phliang in which Cambodians will bet, sometimes up to US$1000, on when and how much it will rain. A foreign passport is required to enter a casino in Cambodia, providing a loophole that allows the many urban Cambodians with
dual citizenship to legally gamble. The rural population and those that can't produce a foreign ID must bribe the local police to gain entry to legitimate casinos. Gamblers leaving casinos or other, less formal, illicit gaming venues have reported being forced to give up to two-thirds of their daily winnings to police in order to avoid arrest when caught. There are little to no psychological services available to those addicted. Among Cambodian men, gambling, along with drinking and other such vices, is seen as a symbol conveying masculinity. Cambodian society has traditionally viewed problem gambling as a social problem rather than a medical problem, consequently, very few seek treatment from medical professionals. As of 2012, the nationwide treatment program, Transcultural Psychological Organisation, reported treating patients for disorders such as
depression and
drug addiction but had not treated a single patient for gambling addiction. == See also ==